Wow - what a season it has been so far! Incredible how 3 months can just fly by. The last thing I can remember clearly was my birthday huck off of Metlako falls on May 17th. Immediately after that, my days have been a blurr . . . (and no, it's not because of the drop . . . ha-ha .

My season pretty much started full-time at the end of May. I teach kayaking and guide rafts for my full-time work. Looking back, I think I can count the times I have rafted on two hands . . . which only means, that kayak instruction has been off the charts this year!

Each year, there is a noticeable increase in the amount of students/groups that come through our WP kayak school. This year was no exception. I have noticed more 3-day kayaking courses, an increase in larger teenage groups and an increase in the attendance for our specialty kayaking courses.

The end of June/beginning of August is the peak season for our kayak school. Now, I have a few minutes to reflect on some of my most enjoyable parts:

• Adventure Treks - Two groups of 30 teenagers and counselors included our kayak school in their Pacific Nortwest Adventure program. It has been so much fun to work with these fun teenagers who are super excited about being out on the river, are eager to learn to kayak and to have fun with each other.

• Wet Planet Kids - This is our 4th summer organizing a 4-day kayaking course for kids, ages 8 - 12. We had two returning students from last year and 3 brand-spanking new 8 year olds. Another camp graduate returned for 4th year in a row and was promoted to an advanced class! This camp is one of the most rewarding courses I have developed at Wet Planet and look forward to seeing the kids again next year (read more about his camp in the blog posts).

• Women's Clinics - Each month we host a women's clinic at Wet Planet Since women learn differently than men, it is important to me that we offer specific programs which teach women in ways that we feel successful and not just feel like ‘we are along for the ride'.

Some courses that I haven't been involved with directly are the Creeking Courses, the Boofing clinics and the Rescue courses . . . However, the feedback that Wet Planet has been getting from students has been awesome. Our rescue courses are always filled, plus we have had to add more to our teaching schedule to accommodate.

Fun, fun, fun . . . Spending days on the river and planting that ‘seed' which then sprouts into a kayaker is the best job ever! Can't complain that my office is the river and my clients are people wanting to be there to learn the skills needed to become kayakers. 
That, combined with the professional approach, passion, knowledge, commitment and great personalities of our kayaking instructors and other staff at Wet Planet is what makes it so awesome to teach the classes here at Wet Planet! Thank you to my kayak students, and a thank you to my co-workers for a great season so far!

Heather Herbeck -Team Wet Planet